I got a taste of The Justice Conference this evening at the Speakers Dinner held at Imago Dei- Was honored to be there to meet so many people I had written about or interviewed for stories. I had the privilege of sitting on a table with 
Dr. John M. Perkins, 
Michael Wear and Max Finberg (from the Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the White House), and Paul Louis Metzger. It was fabulous to hear of the vision of the conference live in person from founder Ken Wytsma 
and to listen to Dr. John M. Perkins share his heart in what was a spontaneous fashion.
In addition, they had a short ceremony honoring Native Americans with Richard Twiss .
(whom I had written about for Christianity Today’s This is Our City Blog.). Editor Katelyn Beaty has asked me to represent them as I mine for stories to pen for the City Blog-I really savored interacting with other believers who are trying to be a voice for outcasts, including author Shane Claiborne 
. Throughout the evening, I starting asking questions that led to stories, such as how Michael Wear
came to Christ in high school and how he scored his position in the Obama’s administration Office of Faith.
After the speakers dinner, I headed over to the Love is a Thread Art Exhibit at the Imago Art Space to support Martin French and his vision of justice. The Exhibit continues, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25 and is located at 512 NW 9th, Portland, OR 97209. 
The morning starts at 8:30 am Friday Feb. 24 so I will wrap up tonight with pictures from the event-by way of reminder- the Conference is at the Oregon Convention Center, Friday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m)
(And, thanks to Dr. Perkins’ assistant for the photos she took with me in them)
